A Russian drone strike on a civilian minibus in northeastern Ukraine's Sumy region killed nine people and injured at least four others on Saturday. The attack occurred shortly after the first direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in three years, which ended without a ceasefire agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as a "deliberate killing of civilians," emphasizing the need for tougher sanctions against Russia. The victims were primarily elderly civilians being evacuated from the conflict zone. The incident has heightened tensions surrounding ongoing negotiations and highlighted the challenges of achieving peace in the region.
Israel and Hamas have resumed ceasefire negotiations in Qatar despite an ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds over the past 72 hours. Palestinian health authorities reported at least 146 fatalities on the latest day of strikes, marking one of the deadliest periods since ceasefire talks collapsed in March. The Israeli military's operation, named "Gideon’s Chariots," aims to establish operational control in Gaza and pressure Hamas to release hostages. International calls for a ceasefire have intensified as humanitarian conditions in the enclave deteriorate.
Israel has initiated a new military operation in Gaza, dubbed "Operation Gideon's Chariots," aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages. Following a series of intensified airstrikes that have reportedly killed over 300 people since Thursday, negotiations for a ceasefire are underway in Doha, facilitated by Qatari and U.S. mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to escalate military actions until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are returned. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with aid blocked for over two months, prompting international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance.
The Kremlin has indicated that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could occur, contingent upon reaching specific agreements following recent peace talks in Istanbul. This marks the first direct negotiations between the two nations since March 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that any meeting would depend on the outcomes of these discussions, particularly regarding who would be authorized to sign any agreements on the Ukrainian side. Despite the talks, recent violence in Ukraine continues to escalate, raising concerns about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Vatican could serve as a venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, following Pope Leo XIV's renewed commitment to facilitate dialogue. This announcement comes after a recent failed peace negotiation in Istanbul, where key leaders were absent. Tragically, Russian drone strikes continue to claim civilian lives in Ukraine, with nine fatalities reported from a recent attack. Despite the Vatican's willingness to assist, Rubio emphasized that it would not act as a broker but rather a neutral ground for discussions.
